Biblical Answer

Can God forgive sexual sin?

Introduction

The Bible teaches that God is a just God who cannot simply forgive sin without repentance. Sexual sin, in particular, is a serious matter in God's eyes. The question of whether God can forgive sexual sin is closely tied to the storyline of Scripture, which emphasizes the importance of sexual holiness.

The Problem of Repentance

The Bible teaches that personal repentance is necessary for God to forgive sin. This means that individuals must acknowledge their wrongdoing, turn away from their sin, and seek forgiveness from God. In the case of sexual sin, repentance involves recognizing the sin as a violation of God's will and seeking to change one's behavior. Without repentance, God's forgiveness is not possible. As Jesus taught, "If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away" (Matthew 5:30). This means that we must be willing to give up our natural desires and submit to God's will, even if it means denying ourselves something that we want.

God's Forgiveness and Sexual Sin

God's forgiveness of sexual sin is not a matter of simply accepting our sin and excusing it. Rather, it is a matter of acknowledging our sin, seeking forgiveness, and turning away from it. The Bible teaches that God forgives sin on the basis of the perfect sacrifice of Christ, and that he enables the faithful to know him and enter the sacred realm of life. As Richard Davidson writes, "God's willingness to forgive sexual aberrations is seen in the Old Testament... Jesus reprimand to the woman not to sin again prevented his display of mercy from appearing to be an easy acceptance of sexual immorality." (Davidson, 2007) In other words, God's forgiveness of sexual sin is not a license to continue in sin, but rather a call to repentance and a new way of living.